The Parasite

With a focus on pressing topics and engaging social issues, Sarenbrant confirms her position as one of the biggest crime writers in the Nordics.

It is a hot summer day when the burnt remains of a body are found by Drottningholm Palace, the private residence of the royal family, just outside of Stockholm. Next to the victim, the police find a death list with five names. The last name reads Emma Sköld. 

An investigation is immediately started. At the same time, a twenty-year-old case unfolds, where a mother went to the emergency room with her infant but ended up in detention. What does the past have to do with the victim found by Drottningholm? Now it’s up to Emma and her colleagues to stop the killer before more names are crossed off the list, and before the murderer gets to Emma. 

The Parasite is the eleventh book in the bestselling series following detective Emma Sköld and her team in Stockholm. In her characteristic way, Sarenbrant portrays topical issues in a suspenseful way. This story depicts a life being shattered overnight, revenge, painful sibling relationships, and a family involved in a tragedy with catastrophic consequences. 

The series about police detective Emma Sköld has sold over 6 million copies worldwide, and the books have been translated into 17 languages to date.

Sofie Sarenbrant’s hugely successful crime series has been optioned by Breakable Films.

 

With a focus on pressing topics and engaging social issues, Sarenbrant confirms her position as one of the biggest crime writers in the Nordics.

It is a hot summer day when the burnt remains of a body are found by Drottningholm Palace, the private residence of the royal family, just outside of Stockholm. Next to the victim, the police find a death list with five names. The last name reads Emma Sköld. 

An investigation is immediately started. At the same time, a twenty-year-old case unfolds, where a mother went to the emergency room with her infant but ended up in detention. What does the past have to do with the victim found by Drottningholm? Now it’s up to Emma and her colleagues to stop the killer before more names are crossed off the list, and before the murderer gets to Emma. 

The Parasite is the eleventh book in the bestselling series following detective Emma Sköld and her team in Stockholm. In her characteristic way, Sarenbrant portrays topical issues in a suspenseful way. This story depicts a life being shattered overnight, revenge, painful sibling relationships, and a family involved in a tragedy with catastrophic consequences. 

The series about police detective Emma Sköld has sold over 6 million copies worldwide, and the books have been translated into 17 languages to date.

Sofie Sarenbrant’s hugely successful crime series has been optioned by Breakable Films.

 

info

  • Year of publication

    2023

  • Original title

    Parasiten

  • Page count

    400

  • Original publisher

    Bookmark

  • Original language of publication

    Swedish

  • Rights sold

    Finnish

Reviews

  • Bibliotekstjänst (Swedish Library Journal)

    "What makes the book stand out is Sarenbrant's masterful handling of how much information is portioned out and when, creating an incredibly thrilling page-turner."

  • Dagens Nyheter

    "As usual, Sofie Sarenbrant writes effortlessly and excitingly, and this time uses the crime plot to write about shaken baby syndrome and complex sibling relationships. She does this well and with the surprise effects required by the genre."

  • Borås Tidning

    "The structure of events in the past leading to a murder in the present is classic, and without fail, Sofie Sarenbrant succeeds in making [this set-up] exciting with the help of effective storytelling, short chapters, and well-thought-out cliffhangers. … "The Parasite" is a good example of how detective stories today like to address and spread knowledge about important social issues."

  • Kristianstadsbladet

    “A moving story about how society's mistakes can have big consequences for a single person... As usual, Sofie Sarenbrant is good at making things thrilling with the help of effective storytelling, short chapters and well-thought-out cliffhangers."

Awards & Nominations

Awards

  • Swedish Crime Novel of the Year

    2023

Nominations

  • Adlibris Prize

    2023

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